Treating Depression

Once a diagnosis is made, the basic medications used for depression today are:

• Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil, Tofranil, and Pamelor are prescribed for patients who are in despair, feeling helpless, and unable to feel pleasure.

• Serotonin uptake inhibitors such as Prozac, Paxil, and Effexor, all prescribed for uncomplicated depression.

• Monoamine Oxidase (mao) Inhibitors like Nardil and Parnate: These medications are usually used when depressive symptoms are accompanied by symptoms of an anxiety disorder.

• Lithium: This is the most effective drug for manic depression. However, it can also be used to prevent recurring episodes of depression.

When one of these medications is prescribed, follow-up and continued medical supervision are critical. Blood tests and other metabolic studies are often performed on a regular basis to determine the effect of the drug on the patient. This can be a drawn-out process, because most drugs for depression don't relieve symptoms instantly. Often it takes four to six weeks for a medication to become effective.